Training Available


Introduction

Many of the managers and staff working in your shops would greatly benefit from more knowledge of antiques and collectables, and what is the correct current market price for them. Additionally a knowledge of which reference books are relevant and useful would be helpful. Lastly, it would help them if they had just a phone call away, somebody who would give them rapid impartial professional advice. We run a one-day course covering all these training needs.

Three examples during recent training days:

  1. A shop manager brought it two small metal bowls, which had been on sale for several days at less than £2. They were Russian Imperial silver and Bonham's auctioneers subsequently sold them for £320.
  2. A manager brought with her a "Pink salad bowl", which she thought might be worth £5 or so. It was Victorian Cranberry and she subsequently sold it for £90.
  3. A volunteer brought in several children's books. Two of them later sold in her shop for £60 each.

For the past fourteen years, I and two other experienced and knowledgeable members of the antique trade have been working with national and regional charities and hospices. In recent years we have trained the PDSA; Help the Aged, Barnardos, CLIC, Age Concern and the RSPCA. We have also trained many hospices, including those in Pontefract, Barnsley, Huddersfield, Basingstoke, Bristol, Worthing, Birmingham and Helen House Children's Hospice in Oxford. In each case we train their shop managers and staff to recognise and price the steady stream of small antiques and collectables, which are donated to them. We have a strict policy that we do not buy from Charity Shops, as this would devalue our impartial advice and professionalism.

The Training

Our team of three gives the antiques awareness training. The course is a one day course and can be located where ever is convenient for you.

Course size

The maximum number on each course is 20.

Aim of the Course

The aim of the course is to show the participants how to identify, value and price antiques and collectables.

Objectives

At the end of the course, participants will be able to:
  1. Identify antiques and collectable items,
  2. Price items more accurately and realistically,
  3. Demonstrate knowledge of sources of information & reference books required.

Training Programme

Timings

The course begins at 9.15 or 9.30 a.m. We have found from experience that some managers have to travel long distances, and that this is the earliest practical start-time. The course finishes at about 4 p.m. Breaks for coffee, tea and lunch are taken at appropriate times.

The Course Modules

  1. Welcome. A statement of the aims and objectives of the course. Introduction of the Training Team.
    15 minutes approx.
  2. The participants are then split into three groups which go round each of three phases; these being:
    a) Pottery, porcelain and china objects,
    b) Silver and silver plate,
    c) A selection of small items and the clues to identify them.

    They are shown, in addition to a wide selection of the items, the clues to look for. E.g.
    I. The silver hallmarking system is thoroughly explained.
    II. The significance of weight and colour when judging the age of copper and brass.
    III. The percentage reduction that a crack makes in the value of porcelain and china.
    IV. The importance of examining the underside of any object for clues about it.
    3 hours
  3. After lunch the same three groups go around another three phases, these being; a) Household and kitchen equipment. b) Old books, magazines, and pewter. c) Gold and jewellery.
    1 hour 30 minutes
  4. A talk on reference books and a compilation and use of a "Wants Book". 15 minutes
  5. Participants are invited to bring with them any items from their shops, which they want identified and valued. These are then discussed and a suitable price is suggested. (This often amounts to enough to pay for the day's training.)
    30 minutes
Total training time = 5 hours 45 minutes plus one hour for lunch and coffee breaks.


Costs of the Course

The charity will provide the venue; this is often in a charity's national or regional offices, or in a hotel or village hall. One large room or several small areas are necessary. As your managers and staff may have to travel considerable distances, it may be more cost-effective for you, if we do for example, a day in Bristol and the next day in Winchester, as this minimises the transport costs.

The costs of the course are available from Pat Dyer 01743 351038.

Course Notes and Telephone Service

At the start of each training day we give each person an 8-page set of training notes. This is full of factual and useful information on antiques and collectables. In the front of this set of notes is a list of people who can be contacted and asked for help with identifying and pricing objects. This service is free to everybody who has been on the course.

Smaller Charities

It is most cost effective to have as close to the maximum of twenty people on each course. Some smaller charities, without that number of personnel available often ask other nearby charities to join in a training day. Some also increase the numbers by offering the days training to supporters of their charity and charge them about £40 per day.

Further Information

If you have any queries or would like further information please contact Pat Dyer on 01743 351038

Conclusion

Your Charity shops have a need for their managers and staff to be able to identify and price any antiques and collectables, which they are given. We have the knowledge, training ability, and experience to fulfil your training needs.

The results of this training will be to increase the income generated by your shops.

For further details Contact Us